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LAPD Improving LGBTQ Relations, Including New Policy to Not Assume a Transgender Person is a Hooker

Thursday night, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck is hosting a community forum that will discuss the force's new procedures for interacting with members of the transgender community. New department guidelines are being introduced, and the LAPD says in a release those procedures are "designed to promote greater understanding and ensure police contacts with the transgender community are professional, respectful and courteous."
Among the new guidelines are some matters of basic respect that actually need spelling out, including (and we quote) "the importance of not making the assumption a transgender person is involved in prostitution."
Other issues of "respectful treatment" Beck will touch on during the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Community Forum will include a discussion of "appropriate language, acknowledgement of an individual’s preferred gender identity and expression, respect for privacy, [and] detailed standards for conducting field searches."
Plus, Beck and the LAPD are expected to talk about revisions made to the Jail Operations Manual "that improve the processing, housing, custody and protection of transgender inmates."
The community forum starts at 6 p.m. Expected to attend are city officials and LGBT community leaders, as well as reps from the mayor's office, and professionals who helped the LAPD develop their new guidelines.
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It's been many, many years since we saw this much snow in our mountains. Going up there right now isn't safe, but here are some places where you can enjoy the view and snap a pic.
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April Valentine died at Centinela Hospital. Her daughter was born by emergency C-section. She'd gone into the pregnancy with a plan, knowing Black mothers like herself were at higher risk.
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A look at years past when snows creeped into our citified neighborhoods, away from the mountains and foothills.
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In the face of a drier future, that iconic piece of Americana is on its way out in Southern California.
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Another Missing Hiker Has Been Found Dead In San Gabriels As Search For Actor Julian Sands ContinuesBob Gregory, 62, went missing the same day as Sands. His body was recovered near Mount Islip.